Atlas Poles Picture

These electrical poles are just a few miles up the street from me, they are grouped just off the interstate at a local substation. I just thought they looked cool, especially with the cloud and the angry look to the sun. Reminded me of the Atlas legends from Greek Mythology.

"Iapetos took as his wife the fair-ankled Clymene,
daughter of Okeanos, and shared her bed,
and she bore him Atlas, a son of invincible spirit..."

After this brief mention of Atlas's birth, Hesiod continues his description of the Titan with one of the most memorable stories about Atlas - the tale of how he was forced to hold up the heavens. According to Hesiod:

"By harsh necessity, Atlas supports the broad sky
on his head and unwearying arms,
at the earth's limits, near the clear voiced Hesperides,
for his is the doom decreed for him
by Zeus the counselor."